Emerson School vs St Gerard's School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Victoria, 302 m apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Emerson School
Dandenong · Government special · U
371 students · ICSEA 953
St Gerard's School
Dandenong North · Catholic primary · Prep-6
125 students · ICSEA 1049
| Measure | Emerson School Dandenong VIC | St Gerard's School Dandenong North VIC |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | – Not rated | 64 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | – | #562 of 1,290 |
| National rank (type) | – | #1576 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Special | Primary |
| Year range | U | Prep-6 |
| Students | 371 | 125 |
| Girls / boys | 114 / 257 | 58 / 67 |
| Foundation intake | – | 17 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -10% | -6% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 953 | 1049 |
| ICSEA percentile | 26th | 68th |
| Top SEA quarter | 8% | 19% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 54% | 17% |
| Students per teacher | 5.9 | 9.6 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 62.7 | 13.0 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 50.2 | 9.4 |
| Language background other than English | 52% | 50% |
| Indigenous students | 3% | 0% |
| Suburb | Dandenong 3175 | Dandenong North 3175 |
| Council area | Greater Dandenong | Greater Dandenong |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | www.emersonsc.vic.edu.au/ | www.sgdandenongnth.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •St Gerard's School has the higher ICSEA (1049 vs 953), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Emerson School has fewer students per teacher (5.9 vs 9.6).
- •Emerson School is the larger school with 371 students compared with 125.
- •Emerson School is a government school while St Gerard's School is a catholic school, so fees and enrolment rules differ.
The Success Index summarises community advantage, resourcing and momentum from ACARA data. It does not measure teaching quality, results or fit. Methodology.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Emerson School better than St Gerard's School?
The two schools are very close on the Success Index. Differences in sector, size, year range and distance from home will matter more than the score.
How far apart are Emerson School and St Gerard's School?
About 302 m in a straight line, between Dandenong and Dandenong North in Victoria.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Emerson School has 5.9 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Gerard's School has 9.6.
How do Emerson School and St Gerard's School rank in VIC?
Emerson School is unranked and St Gerard's School is 562nd of 1,290 among special schools in Victoria on the 2025 Success Index.